Doncaster RLFC: Matty Berharrell hits the ground running at Dons

Matty Berharrell has impressed for Doncaster since joining last month. Photo: Marie Caley

Steve Hossack

Published:06:00Friday 03 August 2018

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Doncaster RLFC head coach Richard Horne is delighted with the impact that scrum-half Matty Berharrell has made since joining the League One side last month.

“I think that Matty has proved an outstanding addition to the squad,” said the former Hull FC star.

“He's brought a bit of composure and structure to the side and he organises the middles (forwards) and talks really well.

“We tried to get him at the start of the year but he was contracted to Keighley but as soon as the opportunity came up (to sign him due to Keighley’s financial problems) last month we jumped at it.”

The player himself is also pleased with life at the Keepmoat Stadium club.

“I’ve been here a few weeks now and I’ve settled in and it’s going well,” he said.

“There were a few other teams interested in me at the time but Doncaster suited me best - not least due to the fact that it’s a lot nearer for training and home games.”

One of the half-back’s last games for Keighley was at the Keepmoat Stadium where he helped inspire the Cougars to a 29-20 win.

“It’s quite difficult coming to a club midway through a season in such a pivotal role at scrum-half but you’ve just got to try and adapt to the players already at the club so I’ve had to do my homework on them.

“To form a good half-back pairing both the scrum-half and stand-off have got to have a good understanding and I feel that Jordan (Howden) and myself have already got that and I’m sure it will get even better the more we play together.

“As any half-back will tell you to be effective you need to be playing behind a dominant pack and Doncaster has a good pack with some big strong lads in there. It is quite athletic as well.

“We’ve also got some good outside backs so it is our job get them into the right spaces at the right time.”

The Dons will be looking to post a fourth successive win at Coventry Bears on Sunday.

“We put down a marker at Hunslet and built on that win against Oldham,” said Beharrell.

“Coventry have had a couple of good home wins recently but it’s a game we’ve got to be looking to win.

“If we can win all our remaining games we could finish third and be at home in the play-off semi-finals.”